Donald Trump quivers on claims he would have Russia-Ukraine war solved within 24 hours

Donald Trump had said, when he was battling to win the US Presidential race, he would be able to solve the Russia-Ukraine war in just 24 hours - but the conflict continues

Donald Trump has admitted he was "being a little bit sarcastic" when he repeatedly claimed he would have the Russia-Ukraine war solved within 24 hours.

The Republician made the remarks when he was battling to win the US Presidential race last year - and even said he could achieve the feat before he took office.

But, nearly five months on from the win and two from his inauguration, the war continues - with Vladimir Putin seizing more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers just this week.

Quizzed on the claims, Mr Trump, 78, told the media: "Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that... What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful."

The vow is to be explored in a TV show called Full Measure, which is to air in the US on Sunday. It examines Mr Trump's long record of making exaggerated claims and his rare admissions about them.

The one concerning the Ukraine situation was made at a CNN town hall in May 2023. He boldly said: "They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours."

And later, during his September debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Mr Trump vowed: "That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president. If I win, when I’m president-elect, and what I’ll do is I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other. I’ll get them together."

The Republican repeated the claim frequently on the campaign trail. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow this week for talks on a US-proposed ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted.

In the interview in Full Measure, Mr Trump was also asked what the plan would be if Mr Putin does not agree to a ceasefire to the war he started three years ago. Mr Trump said: "Bad news for this world because so many people are dying... But I think, I think he's going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well and I think he's going to agree."

The US President made an astonishing threat to the Kremin this week, warning Russia the US would devastate the Russian economy if it didn't agree with his proposal.

"I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia. It would be devastating for Russia. But I don't want to do that because I want to see peace," Mr Trump had said.